The BVMA is running this extremely popular bow course again in February 2026.  We are delighted that Jutta Walcher will be teaching again and she will be joined by Florian Bailly. This year Tim Baker will not be teaching but will be on hand for demonstrations and generally helping out.

Here’s all the information you need to know:

Start 5.00pm - Sunday 1st February 2026

End 3.30pm – Friday 6th February 2026

Maximum 11 students.

On Thursday June 12th at 8pm BST the course will go live. You must be a member to sign up. Here is the link

Cost:

Single ensuite              £950

Single non ensuite      £900

Shared ensuite           £900

Shared non ensuite      £800

If you are new to the trade you can apply for a bursary.  Two bursaries are available from the BVMA covering half the cost of the course. These will be prioritised to help people in the early stage of their career (within 8 years from the start of training).

Keep an eye on your e-mails from the BVMA for more information about booking your place.

There is a £100 deposit with the remaining balance being payable by the end of November 2025.

What you will need:

Bring as many bows as you can for re-hairing plus some bows you would like to repair.  Also, hand tools, bow making tools, bow hair/parts and glue.  Some items can be provided if you don’t already have them.

Here’s a list of tools available at Halsway for your information:

·        Bench inc. light and chair for every single participant

·        Bandsaw

·        5 clamp-on vices

·        Myford 7 lathe 

·        Daylight bulbs

Jutta Walcher

Alongside making and repairing bows, I have been re-hairing professionally for more than 30 years. I provided a re-hairing service for students and professors at the RAM between 1998 and 2008 and thereafter, I continued this service for the profession at Bishop’s Instruments & Bows whilst also maintaining my freelance work from my workshop in Oxford.

Since 2020, I have been working solely from my Oxford base, regularly re-hairing bows for soloists and players in all of the major orchestras such as the ROH, the LPO, the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Hallé etc. 

With years of experience in re-hairing bows ranging from the most basic to the most sought after, I will be able to guide students of varying abilities to the goal of re-hairing efficiently and to the highest standards.

Florian Bailly

Since 2016  I have worked with many London shops and dealers as a bow restorer.

Interacting with dealers and auctioneers over the years, I specialise in preparation of the bows for sale and their condition reports.

I am currently working in collaboration with Tarisio, from which I provide bow services in London.